Moore's hot start carries Trojan men past Pfeiffer

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 8, 2015 1:52 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- University of Mount Olive gave in-state rival Pfeiffer University a little "Moore" than it could handle Saturday afternoon.

That's Mike Moore, to be exact.

The junior forward pumped in a career-high 27 points as the No. 9-ranked Trojans handed the Falcons a season-ending, 83-74 loss in semifinal-round play of the 2015 Conference Carolinas men's basketball tournament.

UMO plays North Greenville, a 59-54 upset victor over regionally-ranked King (Tenn.), in the title game today. Tip-off is 2 p.m. and fans who received a free T-shirt can receive half-price on admission if they wear it for the game today.

The winner secures the automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.

Snubbed by the all-conference selection committee, Moore knocked down his team's first four shots -- including two 3-pointers -- as the Trojans built a 10-0 lead just 3-plus minutes into the game. Moore ended the day 11 of 18 from the floor with five rebounds and one blocked shot.

"I just tried to come out with confidence and make the right shots," said Moore, who didn't get face guarded by a Pfeiffer defender during his early-shooting spree. "I wanted to get the ball more, help my teammates out, especially in this type of game ... tournament time.

"You don't win, you're done. I just tried to keep that in the back of my mind."

Junior guard Dontrell Brite had a hand, well two assists, during Moore's hot-shooting start. Brite moved within one assist of breaking the all-time single-season mark (174) set by Derek Staton in 2009-10.

"I've never seen him that enthusiastic when he's playing," a grinning Brite said of Moore. "I was excited for him."

Kendall Hargrove posted a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) as the Trojans extended their school-record win streak to 17. Brite, who was named the conference player-of-the-year, and Jordan McCain supplied 14 points apiece.

McCain did not score in the first half.

Mount Olive swept the regular-season series from fourth-seeded Pfeiffer, which entered the tournament with just two losses in the month of February. Head coach Joey Higginbotham hoped the "March Madness" theme wouldn't show up in the third tussle.

"Any time you try to beat somebody for the third time is a super challenge," Higginbotham said. "That was the biggest worry coming in. You see it on TV right now (with) these teams losing as they try to beat somebody three times.

"Moore was huge today ... taking good shots and feeling good, so I had to let him go a little bit, let him relax."

Dominique Reed drained a single free throw after getting fouled on an offensive putback and gave the Trojans their biggest lead, 31-17, with 6:06 remaining in the opening half.

The Falcons (16-12) closed the half with a 15-10 run thanks to gracious officiating on drives to the basket. That trend continued in the second half, but Mount Olive's athleticism and ability to convert in transition prevented Pfeiffer from making any serious offensive runs.

Head coach Jeremy Currier remarked to his coaching staff throughout the game that "offense was killing the defense" and "it's unbelievable how much we are beating ourselves." However, Pfeiffer led in total rebounds (39-35), second-chance points (13-10) and bench points (29-17).

The difference?

UMO converted 17 Pfeiffer turnovers into 25 points.

"I was proud of the effort," Higginbotham said. "It was a hardfought game. We've got to be better tomorrow against whoever we play ... have a little bit better bench production."